Creativity is so inextricably linked to our being that all it asks is to be given the fundamental right to exist. It is an emanation of our personality structure and takes shape in gestures we consider perhaps the most banal.
The American writer and humorist Kurt Vonnegut spoke of the artistic act thus: ”Nobody will stop you from creating. Do it tonight. Do it tomorrow. That is the way to make your soul grow… The kick of creation is the act of creating, not anything that happens afterward. I would tell all of you watching this screen: Before you go to bed, write a four line poem. Make it as good as you can. Don’t show it to anybody. Put it where nobody will find it. And you will discover that you have your reward.”
I said that creativity is part of the human condition, sometimes latent until the moment of interaction with the right stimulus that triggers its manifestation. Speaking of its manifestation, in order for it to be brought out in all its splendor, it needs the right means through which to express itself. Just like the rest of us.
In what follows, we will explore the different ways we can bring our creativity to life by giving it concrete form using one of the oldest writing tools mankind has created: the pen.
Even if the summer is over, our minds still fly to new holiday destinations, to exotic places we could visit, to the hustle and bustle of metropolises in whose crowds we would allow ourselves to get lost, or to secluded villages on remote islands where we could retreat for a while to enjoy the quiet and the slow pace at which time passes.
Speaking of travel and destinations, what could be more inspiring than sharing the experience with your loved ones. You can write them a postcard. Although Facetime calls seem to have gained ground recently, a few lines written in ink still convey more emotion.
Have you ever considered drawing with a fountain pen? Many artists do, and due to the many nib options available on the market, it’s a lot of fun. Imagine using the music nib for broader strokes and the needlepoint ones for the finer details. Besides, there are several user-noted benefits of using the fountain pen over the fine liner. A few of them refer to the fact that ”it feels more comfortable to use the fountain pen”, ”you make more expressive strokes, especially if you have a pen with a flexible nib”, ”they are environmentally friendly opposed to disposable fineliners”, ”you can choose your own ink to fill the pen with, you can decide on the quality and color” and ”they can be economical over the long run – if you use a converter you can keep refilling the pen from a bottle of ink”. (references)
Whether we are talking about a letter addressed to a dear friend, parents or a loved one, this confession of our deepest feelings and sincere thoughts is an act that stimulates our creativity in wrapping everything in a form as pleasant as possible for the receiver. Make it count, fill your pen with your favorite ink and write them some lovely lines.
Perhaps you’re into poetry. ”Select a clock. / Set it on time. / You may rewind the clock but never / reset it. / Call it your life clock. / Live accordingly”. These are the lyrics of the poem “Clock Piece” by Yoko Ono. Many of our gestures, words, and looks can be considered poetic. We can write verses about everything that surrounds us or what we carry in our hearts. However, we are often hesitant to unleash our creativity. What if we started a collective exercise where, the next time we find ourselves in the midst of such a creative moment, we put pen to paper and breathe life into the thoughts that flow through our minds?
Nothing looks better than a well practiced signature, but how much time have you ever spent on mastering it? So, grab a pen, preferably with a slightly broader nib, and start practicing your signature. You’ll notice what an elegant touch you’ll give it. I’m sure next time you will have more confidence to leave your official mark on any document.
After all, regardless of how you choose to use the fountain pen, it’s up to you and your imagination to pull out all the stops and be as creative as possible. So, next time a brilliant idea pops into your head, grab the nearest pen and make your own contribution to beauty and knowledge!
